We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience.
This includes personalizing content and advertising.
By pressing "Accept All" or closing out of this banner, you consent to the use of all cookies and similar technologies and the sharing of information they collect with third parties.
You can reject marketing cookies by pressing "Deny Optional," but we still use essential, performance, and functional cookies.
In addition, whether you "Accept All," Deny Optional," click the X or otherwise continue to use the site, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, revised from time to time.
You are being directed to ZacksTrade, a division of LBMZ Securities and licensed broker-dealer. ZacksTrade and Zacks.com are separate companies. The web link between the two companies is not a solicitation or offer to invest in a particular security or type of security. ZacksTrade does not endorse or adopt any particular investment strategy, any analyst opinion/rating/report or any approach to evaluating individual securities.
If you wish to go to ZacksTrade, click OK. If you do not, click Cancel.
IDEX gains from strong FMT and HST performance, driven by municipal and industrial water demand.
IEX acquisitions, including Micro-LAM and the $1B Mott deal, expand optics and materials tech reach.
IDEX returned $212.6M in 2025 dividends and had $926.7M left under its share repurchase plan.
IDEX Corporation (IEX - Free Report) is gaining from the strong performance of the Fluid & Metering Technologies (FMT) & Health & Science Technologies (HST) segments. An increase in demand for products across the municipal water business has been proving beneficial for the FMT segment. Higher volume in the industrial water business bodes well for the segment. Solid momentum in the pharma, life science, semiconductor consumables and data center businesses is aiding the HST segment. Also, the targeted growth initiatives in the space business and strength in defense markets bode well for the segment.
IDEX is carrying out successive acquisitions to expand its operations. In the fourth quarter of 2025, acquisitions had a positive impact on IEX’s sales of 1%. In July 2025, the company acquired Micro-LAM, Inc. (Micro-LAM), which is expected to expand IDEX’s optics technologies offerings. The acquired company has been incorporated within the HST segment. In September 2024, IDEX acquired Mott Corp. and its subsidiaries (Mott) for a cash consideration of $1 billion. This acquisition expanded the company’s applied materials science technology capabilities across high-value end markets. The inclusion of Mott’s technical and application expertise will bolster its micro-precision technology offerings. It will enable the company to penetrate and diversify its offerings in key markets such as semiconductor fabrication, medical technologies and water purification.
The company believes in rewarding its shareholders handsomely through dividend payments. In 2025, IDEX’s dividend payments totaled $212.6 million (up 3.6% year over year). The current quarterly dividend rate is 71 cents per share (a hike of 2.9% was announced in May 2025). In September 2025, the company’s board of directors increased the share repurchase authorization to $1 billion. Exiting the fourth quarter of 2025, IDEX had a remaining balance of $926.7 million under its stock repurchase program.
IEX’s Zacks Rank
In the past three months, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s shares gained 18.6% compared with the industry’s 12.7% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
However, IEX has been witnessing weakness in the Fire & Safety/Diversified Products (FSDP) segment. Softness in the dispensing business due to unfavorable timing of dispensing projects in emerging markets and slower equipment replenishment is concerning for the segment. Also, a decrease in demand for fire and rescue tools is acting as a headwind for the segment’s performance.
The company has a significant presence in the international markets. As a result, its financial performance is subject to various risks like the foreign currency exchange rate, interest rate fluctuations and hyperinflation in some foreign countries. The increased value of the U.S. dollar relative to the local currencies of the foreign markets is likely to affect the top line in the quarters ahead.
Flowserve’s earnings surpassed the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 17.3%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Flowserve’s 2026 earnings has increased 4.6%.
Nordson Corporation (NDSN - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Nordson’s earnings topped the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 2.5%.
In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Nordson’s fiscal 2026 earnings has increased 1.4%.
Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. Parker-Hannifin’s earnings topped the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 6.8%.
In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Parker-Hannifin’s fiscal 2026 earnings has increased 2.3%.
See More Zacks Research for These Tickers
Normally $25 each - click below to receive one report FREE:
View the Zacks #1 Rank List
Image: Bigstock
IDEX Stock Exhibits Strong Prospects Despite Persisting Headwinds
Key Takeaways
IDEX Corporation (IEX - Free Report) is gaining from the strong performance of the Fluid & Metering Technologies (FMT) & Health & Science Technologies (HST) segments. An increase in demand for products across the municipal water business has been proving beneficial for the FMT segment. Higher volume in the industrial water business bodes well for the segment. Solid momentum in the pharma, life science, semiconductor consumables and data center businesses is aiding the HST segment. Also, the targeted growth initiatives in the space business and strength in defense markets bode well for the segment.
IDEX is carrying out successive acquisitions to expand its operations. In the fourth quarter of 2025, acquisitions had a positive impact on IEX’s sales of 1%. In July 2025, the company acquired Micro-LAM, Inc. (Micro-LAM), which is expected to expand IDEX’s optics technologies offerings. The acquired company has been incorporated within the HST segment. In September 2024, IDEX acquired Mott Corp. and its subsidiaries (Mott) for a cash consideration of $1 billion. This acquisition expanded the company’s applied materials science technology capabilities across high-value end markets. The inclusion of Mott’s technical and application expertise will bolster its micro-precision technology offerings. It will enable the company to penetrate and diversify its offerings in key markets such as semiconductor fabrication, medical technologies and water purification.
The company believes in rewarding its shareholders handsomely through dividend payments. In 2025, IDEX’s dividend payments totaled $212.6 million (up 3.6% year over year). The current quarterly dividend rate is 71 cents per share (a hike of 2.9% was announced in May 2025). In September 2025, the company’s board of directors increased the share repurchase authorization to $1 billion. Exiting the fourth quarter of 2025, IDEX had a remaining balance of $926.7 million under its stock repurchase program.
IEX’s Zacks Rank
In the past three months, this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company’s shares gained 18.6% compared with the industry’s 12.7% growth.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
However, IEX has been witnessing weakness in the Fire & Safety/Diversified Products (FSDP) segment. Softness in the dispensing business due to unfavorable timing of dispensing projects in emerging markets and slower equipment replenishment is concerning for the segment. Also, a decrease in demand for fire and rescue tools is acting as a headwind for the segment’s performance.
The company has a significant presence in the international markets. As a result, its financial performance is subject to various risks like the foreign currency exchange rate, interest rate fluctuations and hyperinflation in some foreign countries. The increased value of the U.S. dollar relative to the local currencies of the foreign markets is likely to affect the top line in the quarters ahead.
Stocks to Consider
Some better-ranked companies are discussed below.
Flowserve Corporation (FLS - Free Report) presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Flowserve’s earnings surpassed the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 17.3%. In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Flowserve’s 2026 earnings has increased 4.6%.
Nordson Corporation (NDSN - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Nordson’s earnings topped the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 2.5%.
In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Nordson’s fiscal 2026 earnings has increased 1.4%.
Parker-Hannifin Corporation (PH - Free Report) currently carries a Zacks Rank of 2. Parker-Hannifin’s earnings topped the consensus estimate in each of the trailing four quarters. The average earnings surprise was 6.8%.
In the past 60 days, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Parker-Hannifin’s fiscal 2026 earnings has increased 2.3%.